Spray container storage and retrieval system

ABSTRACT

A spray container storage and retrieval system including a holster for receiving a sleeve therein. The sleeve is designed so as to provide an efficient vertically-oriented channel guard for protecting against accidental discharge of spray containers receivable within the sleeve. In certain embodiments, an optional spring may be provided in a lower portion of the sleeve in order to bias the spray container upwardly therefrom when the holster is opened.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for enabling an individual tocarry a spray container. More particularly, this invention relates to asystem and method for carrying a container of spray, such as aself-defense pepper spray or make which enables easy and safe accessthereof.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Systems for carrying spray containers are old and well known in the art.For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,654; U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,975; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,477,999, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,975 includes a holster which receivesa sleeve therein. The sleeve is elongated and includes a flangeextending laterally outward from its upper end to aid in the formationof a trigger guard. Unfortunately, the upper end flange/trigger guard ofthe '975 patent is undesirable for a number of reasons. For example, thetrigger guard is sometimes ineffective in that once the spring withinthe sleeve forces the spray canister even slightly upwardly, the triggerguard is no longer effective and spray may be accidentally discharged.Additionally, with the can sitting down in the sleeve, it is difficultfor the user to draw in a smooth forward motion as required foreffective safety.

It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for animproved system for carrying pepper spray and/or mace canisters which:(i) provides an efficient trigger guard; and (ii) improves the draw ofthe canister while protecting the trigger and/or (iv) allows easy accessfor a user to quickly and efficiently remove the canister from thesleeve and/or holster.

It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill any or all of theabove-described needs in the art, as well as other needs which willbecome apparent to the skilled artisan from the following detaileddescription of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a spray container storageand retrieval apparatus/system which enables a user to easily andefficiently access a spray canister housed therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spray container storageand retrieval system including a holster for receiving a sleeve therein,wherein the sleeve includes structure which functions as an efficienttrigger guard to prevent accidental or incidental discharge of sprayfrom a container disposed in the sleeve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spray container storageand retrieval system including a holster and corresponding sleeve forreceiving a spray canister, wherein the sleeve includes structure forpreventing accidental spray discharge therefrom even if the springforces the spray container upward a small amount.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sleeve which functionsto maintain the spray nozzle in a given direction relative to the sleevewhen a substantial or reasonable portion of the canister is in thesleeve.

Generally speaking, this invention fulfills any or all of the abovelisted objects and/or needs in the art by providing a spray containerstorage and retrieval apparatus for storing and allowing retrieval of aspray canister including a trigger and spray nozzle, the storage andretrieval apparatus comprising: a holster defining a cavity therein, theholster including a flap that may be selectively moved between openedand closed positions; an elongated sleeve including an approximatelycylindrical elongated base portion receivable in the cavity of saidholster, the sleeve including an upper opening proximate a top endthereof of sufficient size to receive the spray canister, and the topend defining a top edge partially circumscribing said upper opening; andthe elongated sleeve further including a channel guard extendingvertically from the top edge formed by two ears separated by a triggerreceiving gap therebetween and adapted to fit underneath said trigger toprevent accidental discharge of the spray canister.

This invention will now be described with respect to certain embodimentsthereof, along with reference to the accompanying illustrations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a spray container storage and retrievalapparatus/system according to an embodiment of this invention, includinga holster, a sleeve receivable in the holster, an optional spring to belocated in the bottom of the sleeve, and a spray canister receivable inthe sleeve.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the sleeve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the sleeve of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the sleeve of FIGS. 1-3 including thespray canister disposed therein.

FIG. 5 is a side cross section view of a spray container storage andretrieval apparatus/system according to the above embodiments of thisinvention, the system including the illustrated sleeve and spraycanister receivable in a holster of a type shown in FIG. 1 with thesleeve shown in cross section.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of spray container storage and retrievalapparatus/system 3 according to an embodiment of this invention. System3 includes holster 5, sleeve 7, optional spring 9, and spray canister11. FIG. 2 is a top view of sleeve 7, while FIG. 3 is a side plan viewof sleeve 7. FIG. 4 is a side plan view of sleeve 7 with a canister 11disposed therein in a position that the canister may assume when theflap of the holster was in a closed position covering thesleeve/canister.

Referring to FIG. 1, holster 5 includes flexible flap 13, first andsecond approximately parallel side walls 15, and approximately U-shapedbottom portion 17 which is adapted to receive sleeve 7 therein. Sidewalls 15 extend between and connect opposing upstanding walls ofU-shaped portion 17 of holster 5. Hook and loop (e.g. Velcro®) male 19and female 21 fasteners (or vice versa), may also be provided so as toenable the holster to be selectively opened and closed by a user wearingthe holster on his/her belt or the like. As illustrated, a fastener isprovided on flap 13 and the other fastener on the main body of theholster. When closed, flap 13 is in a downward position so thatfasteners 19 and 21 matingly adhere to one another so as to maintainsleeve 7 and canister 11 within cavity 31 of the holster. Instead of thehood and loop closure fasteners, other types of fasteners may instead beutilized (e.g. male and female snaps, buttons, zipper, or the like) inother embodiments of this invention.

When it is desired to remove canister 11 from the holster, the user maysimply pull flap 13 upwardly to disconnect fasteners 19, 21 in order toexpose and remove canister 11 from sleeve 7 and holster 5. As shown inFIG. 1, holster 3 is not entirely closed, but instead is at leastpartially open 20 so as to allow air circulation therein/therethrough.In preferred embodiments, the bottom of the holster is at leastpartially closed to potentially support sleeve 7. However, inalternative embodiments the sleeve may be otherwise supported (e.g. byhorizontal ledge 70 on top of the holster) and/or the bottom of theholster may be open.

In certain embodiments, holster 5 includes a first piece of flexiblematerial (e.g. canvas, leather, plastic, felt, denim, or the like) thatforms flap 13 and U-shaped portion 17. One end of the first piece isfolded about itself to form the U-shaped portion, and second and thirdpieces of like flexible material 15 are connected (e.g. stitched, sewn,glued, or otherwise adhered) to opposing approximately parallel walls ofportion 17 to form the holster. Optionally, another elongated piece oflike flexible material (not shown) may be sewn or otherwise adhered tothe back of the holster to form a belt loop to enable the holster toeasily be worn on a user's belt.

While in preferred embodiments all portions of holster 5 are of the sameflexible material, it is recognized that different types of material(flexible or non-flexible) may be used for different portions thereof onalternative embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, spray canister 11 includes a cylindricalmetallic base portion 23 as well as a plastic upper grip portion 25,trigger 27, and spray nozzle 29. Grip portion 25 includes opposingapproximately parallel side walls 33 which are adapted to be gripped bythe user when the user removes and/or inserts the canister from/intosleeve 7. Pivotal trigger 27 extends downwardly from an area belownozzle 29 so as to define an elongated or extended trigger grippingsurface. When it is desired to spray mace, pepper spray, or the likefrom the canister, the user picks the canister up, holds portion 23 inhis/her hand, and pulls trigger 27 toward the canister body. Suchactuation of the trigger causes the spray to be directed from nozzle 29.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, sleeve 7 is received in, and removable from,cavity 31 of holster 5. Cavity 31 is defined between at least side walls15 and the approximately parallel upstanding portions of approximatelyU-shaped portion 17. Sleeve includes upper end 35 and lower end 37, aswell as cylindrical hollow base portion 39. Sleeve 7 is preferablysufficiently rigid and closed to protect canister from damage fromimpact, sharp objects, and adverse environmental conditions. Baseportion 39 is preferably cylindrical in shape as illustrated, butalternatively may be oval, rectangular, triangular, or the like in crosssection. In certain embodiments, bottom end 37 of sleeve 7 is completelyclosed for reasons apparent to those skilled in the art. However, it iscontemplated that bottom end 37 of the sleeve may be at least partiallyor fully open in alternative embodiments of this invention, asillustrated by the small aperture provided in the bottom of the sleevein FIG. 2.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, the upper rim 41 of the upper end 35 ofsleeve 7 includes: trigger guard 55 and arcuate or partially cylindricalwall 45 for seating the sleeve 7 in the holster 5. In the preferredembodiment, the partially cylindrical wall 45 extend around thecenterline 62 to define a circular trigger-side 46 about an angle α ofabout 180° with FIG. 2 shown angle α to be about 200°. The partiallycylindrical wall 45 then continues along a substantially straight-lineportion 47 terminating at the support ledge 70.

The channel guard 55 is formed by two vertically-extending ears 55 a, 55b having substantially the same thickness as the walls of the baseportion 39. The ears 55 a, 55 b are disposed at the top edge of rim 41and are separated by an angle β of about 30°-40° when viewed from thetop (see FIG. 2). The ears 55 a, 55 b are separated by a distancesufficient to receive a conventional trigger 27 for the spray canister11 therebetween. In this manner, the trigger rests on the surface 50interposed between the two ears 55 a, 55 b. Vertically upstanding ears55 a, 55 b limit or substantially prevent rotation of canister 11 withinthe sleeve (i.e. the trigger is prevented from moving laterally to anysignificant extent by ears 55 a, 55 b), thereby maintaining canister 11and its spray nozzle 29 in a given pointing direction relative to thesleeve when a substantial or reasonable portion of the canister is inthe sleeve (i.e. when a portion of trigger 27 is in any part of triggerguard 55). As a result the trigger 27 is automatically locked andunlocked by respectively inserting or withdrawing it from the channel55.

While trigger guard 55 is approximately rectangular when viewed from thefront in the illustrated embodiments herein (e.g. see FIG. 6), it iscontemplated that the channel may instead have a triangular, oval orcircular cross section in alternative embodiments of this invention. Inpreferred embodiments, trigger guard 55 is defined by the ears 55 a, 55b which project above the upper rim about ¼″ so as to allow the triggerto be removably inserted thereinto and removed therefrom with ease bythe user.

In embodiments absent spring 9, when flap 13 is opened canister 11 is inthe position shown in FIG. 4 and the user may pull it out of the holsterand sleeve by gripping walls 33 and lifting the canister. However, inembodiments where spring 9 is provided at the bottom of sleeve 7, whenflap 13 is opened the spring biases or pushes the canister upward so asto cause the top of canister 11 to protrude from about 0.1 to 2.0 inchesabove top end 35 of sleeve so that it may easily be grabbed by the userand withdrawn from sleeve 7 for use. In spring 9 inclusive embodiments,when canister 11 is in sleeve 7, and flap 13 is closed, the flap closuremaintains the canister at least partially in the cylinder against thebiasing force of the spring in a position similar to that shown in FIG.4 (or FIG. 5).

Trigger guard 55 and the vertical ears 55 a, 55 b are connected to (e.g.integrally formed with by way of injection molding of plastic) sleeve 7.

Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications, andimprovements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such otherfeatures, modifications, and improvements are, therefore, considered tobe a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined bythe following claims.

1. A spray container storage and retrieval apparatus for storing andallowing retrieval of a spray canister including a trigger and spraynozzle, the storage and retrieval apparatus comprising: a holsterdefining a cavity therein, said holster including a flap that may beselectively moved between opened and closed positions; an elongatedsleeve including an approximately cylindrical elongated base portionreceivable in said cavity of said holster, said sleeve including anupper opening proximate a top end thereof of sufficient size to receivethe spray canister, said top end defining a top edge partiallycircumscribing said upper opening; and said elongated sleeve furtherincluding a channel guard extending vertically from said top edge, saidchannel guard formed by two ears separated by a trigger receiving gaptherebetween, said channel guard adapted to fit underneath said triggerto prevent accidental discharge of said spray canister.
 2. The storageand retrieval apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated base portionis defined by a cylindrical wall having a wall thickness, said two earshaving an ear thickness matching said wall thickness.
 3. The storage andretrieval apparatus of claim 1, wherein said two ears are integrallyformed with said elongated base portion.
 4. The storage and retrievalapparatus of claim 1, wherein said two ears are separated by a distancesubstantially equal to a width of said trigger, so that said channelguard is adapted to receive said trigger between said two ears.
 5. Thestorage and retrieval apparatus of claim 1, wherein said channel guardis adapted to maintain said spray canister elevated from said holster toaid in a smooth forward draw of said spray canister from said holster.6. The storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 1, further comprising ahorizontal ledge extending horizontally from said top end at a locationthat is opposite said channel guard, said ledge providing a seatingsurface for said spray canister.
 7. The storage and retrieval apparatusof claim 6, wherein said horizontal ledge is vertically lower than saidchannel guard.
 8. The storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 7,wherein said top edge slopes around a circumference of said upperopening and down from said channel guard to said horizontal ledge. 9.The storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 1, wherein said holsterincludes a flexible approximately U-shaped portion integrally formedwith said flap, and first and second side walls extending between andconnecting first and second respective upstanding walls of saidapproximately U-shaped portion.
 10. The storage and retrieval apparatusof claim 1, further including a spring disposed at a bottom portion ofsaid sleeve for providing an upward biasing force to bias the canisterat least partially up and out of said sleeve when said flap is in anopened position.
 11. A spray container storage and retrieval apparatusfor storing and allowing retrieval of a spray canister including atrigger and spray nozzle, the storage and retrieval apparatuscomprising; a holster defining a cavity therein, said holster includinga flap that may be selectively moved between opened and closedpositions; an elongated sleeve including a base at least partiallyreceivable in said cavity of said holster, said sleeve including anupper opening of sufficient size to receive the spray canister so thatthe canister may be removably provided in said sleeve; and saidelongated sleeve further including a channel guard extending directlyvertically above a top edge of said upper opening, said channel guardadapted to fit between an upper grip portion of said spray canister andsaid trigger.
 12. The storage and retrieval apparatus of claim 11,wherein said elongated sleeve is a cylindrical body with an outer radialwall, said channel guard projecting longitudinally above said top edge.